Patent Application
20210290508
The present teachings generally relate to systems, methods and compositions for effectively sanitizing or disinfecting against viruses and bacteria. More particularly, the present teachings relate to systems, methods and compositions, which use effective amounts of cannabidiol (“CBD”) and/or cannabigerol (CBG), for effectively sanitizing or disinfecting against viruses and bacteria.
Aside from washing hands, hand sanitizers are commonly used as a protective measure to sanitize against viral or bacterial attacks. During a virus outbreak (e.g., a virus pandemic), for example, hand sanitizers are more frequently used to combat the spreading virus contagion. However, although typical hand-sanitizer compositions attempt to effectively sanitize, they are essentially skin-irritants and their frequent use causes skin conditions that are painful. Moreover, hands and fingers may be inflamed, due to frequent use, to such an extent that users are debilitated in carrying out their daily activities.
What are, therefore, needed are novel systems, methods and compositions that relate to effective sanitizing and/or disinfecting compositions for sanitizing or disinfecting against contagions, without suffering from the drawbacks encountered when using conventional compositions (e.g., causing painful skin irritations).
To achieve the foregoing, the present teachings provide novel systems and methods that produce sanitizing and disinfecting compositions for effectively sanitizing and disinfecting against contagions, without suffering from the drawbacks of such conventional compositions, such as painful skin irritations caused by conventional sanitizing compositions. The present teachings also provide such ultimately produced novel sanitizing or disinfecting compositions for rendering many different types of surfaces free of contagions.
In one aspect, the present arrangements provide different types of apparatus for producing a sanitizing composition. One such exemplar apparatus comprises one or more first reactors and a first homogenizing subsystem. One or more first reactors are designed to heat alcohol (e.g., ethanol) in the presence of a cannabidiol (“CBD”) and/or a cannabigerol (CBG) to produce an intermediate sanitizing composition. In the intermediate sanitizing composition, the alcohol is present at a temperature that is between about 50° C. and about 70° C. To maintain such temperatures, one or more of the first reactors are, preferably, surrounded by a heating jacket. The first homogenizing subsystem includes a first homogenizing blade for mixing alcohol with the intermediate sanitizing composition to produce a first homogenized composition or, in the alternate, an intermediate sanitizing composition. To facilitate discussion, the term “intermediate sanitizing composition,” as used in this specification, also refers to the “first homogenized composition” that may result from a multi-stage reaction system.
In one preferred embodiment, the present arrangements further comprise a first recirculation line that recirculates an output (e.g., the first homogenized composition) residing in one or more of the first reactors from and back to one or more of the first reactors. In this recirculating configuration, the first recirculation line has disposed thereon or proximate thereto a first homogenizing subsystem for homogenizing the output from one or more of the first reactors.
The first homogenizing subsystem is, preferably, located downstream from one or more of the first reactors. The first homogenizing subsystem may further comprise a first motor, a first rotor, a first shaft, a first axle and a first homogenizing blade. In an assembled state of the first homogenizing subsystem, the first motor is coupled to rotationally drive the first axle, which is coupled to the first rotor. Further, the first axle longitudinally extends inside the first shaft. In this subsystem, the first rotor is received within a central region of the first homogenizing blade, defining a first gap therebetween.
During an operative state of the first homogenizing subsystem, the first rotor rotates, based upon the powered first motor, relative to the first homogenizing blade, which may not be rotating. In this operative state, the first homogenizing subsystem not only homogenizes the fluid that flows therethrough (i.e., the first gap between the first rotor and the first homogenizing blade), but also behaves like a pump, i.e., pumps the intermediate sanitizing composition flowing out of the first reactor through the first recirculating line and back to one or more of the first reactors. Moreover, the first blade has first homogenizing teeth that protrude, from a first teeth base portion, a protruding distance, preferably, ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 1.2 mm to facilitate homogenization of the intermediate sanitizing composition having a high viscosity ranging from about 1.05 centipoise (“cp”) to about 1.2 cp.
The present arrangements further comprise one or more valves (e.g., a single three-way valve) designed to direct fluid inside one or more of the first reactors to the first recirculation line or to a second reaction stage.
Preferred embodiments of the present arrangements further comprise one or more second reactors and a second homogenizing subsystem. One or more of the second reactors are designed for reacting and mixing the intermediate sanitizing composition and an alcohol and water solution to produce the sanitizing composition. The second homogenizing subsystem, like the first homogenizing subsystem, facilitates in homogenizing a composition, such as the second homogenized composition or the sanitizing composition of the present teachings. Along this line of structural features, the present arrangements, preferably, further comprise a second recirculation line that recirculates an output (e.g., the second homogenized composition or the sanitizing composition) residing in one or more of the second reactors, from and back to one or more of the second reactors. The second recirculation line has disposed thereon or proximate thereto the second homogenizing subsystem for homogenizing the output from the one or more of the second reactors.
To this end, the second homogenizing subsystem is, preferably, located downstream from one or more of second reactors and further comprises a second motor, a second rotor, a second shaft, a second axle and the second homogenizing blade, which are substantially similar to their counterparts in the first homogenizing subsystem. As a result, in an assembled state of the second homogenizing subsystem, the second motor is coupled to rotationally drive the second axle, which is coupled to the second rotor. The second axle longitudinally extends within the second shaft, which may include a bushing to receive the second homogenizing blade. In this configuration, the second rotor is received within a central region of the second homogenizing blade, defining a second gap therebetween.
During an operative state of the second homogenizing subsystem, the fluid that flows between the second gap is effectively homogenized by the action of the rotating second rotor relative to the second homogenizing blade, which is preferably not rotating. The second homogenizing subsystem, like the first homogenizing subsystem, not only homogenizes the fluid flowing therethrough (e.g., the second gap), but also functions like a pump, i.e., pumping the fluid flowing out of one or more second reactors through the second recirculation line. The second homogenizing blade has second homogenizing teeth that protrude, from a second teeth base portion, a protruding distance ranging from about 1.25 mm to about 3.5 mm for facilitating homogenization of the fluid passing through the second gap and pumping the fluid through the second recirculation line.
In another aspect, the present teachings provide methods for producing a sanitizing composition. One such exemplar method for sanitizing comprises: mixing, using a first reactor, alcohol with a CBD and/or a CBG to produce an intermediate sanitizing composition; cooling the intermediate sanitizing composition to produce a cooled intermediate sanitizing composition; and admixing, using a second reactor, the cooled intermediate sanitizing composition with an alcohol and water solution to produce the sanitizing composition. In the intermediate sanitizing composition, the alcohol is present at a temperature that is between about 50° C. and about 70° C., and in a concentration that ranges from about 75% (by volume) to about 95% (by volume). The cooled intermediate sanitizing composition is at a temperature that ranges from about 10° C. to about 30° C. In the sanitizing composition, the alcohol concentration ranges from about 65% (by volume) to about 95% (by volume).
In a preferred embodiment of the mixing step, for one part by volume of the alcohol, each of CBD or CBG are present in about one part by volume to produce the intermediate sanitizing composition. In the event a mixture of CBD and CBG is used in the mixing step, for one part by volume of the alcohol, a mixture of CBD and CBG is, preferably, present in about one part by volume to produce the intermediate sanitizing composition.
Prior to cooling the intermediate sanitizing composition, the present methods may include preparing the intermediate sanitizing composition for thickening by cooling the intermediate sanitizing composition to a temperature that ranges from about 30° C. and to about 50° C. to produce a thickened intermediate sanitizing composition. The preparing step, preferably, includes introducing into the reactor a thickening agent (e.g., glycerin and/or an aloe-based compound).
In one preferred embodiment, the mixing step includes recirculating, using a first recirculation line, the intermediate sanitizing composition from the first reactor back to the first reactor, and homogenizing the intermediate sanitizing composition. According to the present teachings, effective homogenizing is carried out using a first homogenizing blade having a first homogenizing teeth that protrude, from a first teeth base portion, a protruding distance ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 1.2 mm. The first homogenizing blade is, preferably, disposed on or proximate to the first recirculating line. As mentioned above, homogenizing, preferably, includes passing the intermediate sanitizing composition through a first gap defined between a first homogenizing blade, which preferably does not rotate, and a first rotor, which rotates.
In one preferred embodiment, the admixing step, like the mixing step, includes recirculating, using a second recirculation line, the sanitizing composition from the second reactor back to the second reactor, and homogenizing the sanitizing composition. In one embodiment of the present teachings, effective homogenization of the sanitizing composition is carried out using a second homogenizing blade having a second homogenizing teeth that protrude, from a second teeth base portion, a protruding distance ranging from about 1.25 mm to about 3.5 mm. The second homogenizing blade is, preferably, disposed on or proximate to the second recirculating line. Regardless of the location of the second homogenizing blade, homogenizing, preferably, includes passing the intermediate sanitizing composition through a second gap defined between the second homogenizing blade, which preferably does not rotate, and the second rotor, which rotates.
In yet another aspect, the present teachings provide hand sanitizing compositions. One such exemplar hand sanitizing composition includes: effective amounts of an alcohol for disinfecting and effective amounts of CBD and/or CBG for disinfecting and serving as inflammation reducing agent. The present teachings recognize that the effective amounts of the alcohol used for sanitizing hands undesirably cause skin inflammation and the presence of CBD and/or CBG reduces this undesirable outcome. In the present compositions, effective amounts of alcohol ranges from about 60% (by volume) to about 95% (by volume), effective amounts of CBD ranges from about 0.1% (by volume) to about 0.4% (by volume); and effective amounts of CBG ranges from about 0.01% (by volume) to about 0.1% (by volume). The present sanitizing compositions have a viscosity that ranges from about 1.05 cp to about 1.2 cp.
To the extent water is used as a carrier fluid in the present compositions, the water concentration ranges from about 25% (by volume) to about 35% (by volume). The present compositions, preferably, comprise a thickening agent, such as glycerin and/or aloe. If used in the present compositions, the glycerin is present in a concentration that ranges from about 1% (by volume) to about 2% (by volume), and aloe is present in a concentration that ranges from about 1% (by volume) to about 5% (by volume).
The systems and methods of operation and effective compositions obtained from the present teachings and arrangements, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following descriptions of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying figures.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present teachings and arrangements. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present teachings and arrangements may be practiced without limitation to some or all these specific details. By way of example, the present systems and methods are described in terms of batch mode of operation, but continuous mode of operation is equally applicable to implement the present teachings. In other instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present teachings and arrangements.
Inside first reactor 102, fluid 104 represents an intermediate sanitizing composition that is conveyed downstream from a first outlet line 106 to first homogenizing subsystem 120 (shown in greater detail in
Intermediate sanitizing composition homogenized at first homogenizing subsystem 120 recirculates, preferably using a three-way valve 114 and first recirculation line 116, from and back to first reactor 102. To facilitate such recirculation, one or more valves (e.g., three-way valve 114), in one setting, is set to prevent fluid flow from outlet line 106 to flow into an input line 118, thereby directing flow through first recirculation line 116 and back to first reactor 102. In this setting, a recirculation loop around first reactor 102 and first homogenizing subsystem 120 is formed to effectively repeatedly subject the intermediate sanitizing composition to undergo, for a certain time duration, reaction and mixing inside first reactor 102, homogenizing inside first homogenizing subsystem 120 and recirculation using one or more valves and through first recirculation line 116, until the intermediate sanitizing composition is an alcohol and water solution of a predefined concentration. By way of example, the alcohol in the intermediate sanitizing composition may range from about 65% (by volume) to about 95% (by volume). In one embodiment of the present arrangements, to effectively react the alcohol and water mixture inside first reactor 102 at the appropriate reaction temperatures, outer walls of first reactor 102 are surrounded by a heating jacket. In certain embodiments, the repeated steps of reaction and mixing, homogenizing and recirculation are carried out for a predefined time duration that ensures that the components (e.g., alcohol and/or water) are present in the intermediate composition at the requisite concentration or one or more different types of sensors (e.g., concentration sensors) are used to ensure that the predefined component concentrations are reached so that preparation may be made to commence the next stage of reaction.
After a predefined time duration of reaction, homogenization and/or recirculation, and/or after reaching an intermediate sanitizing composition having desired concentration of chemical components present therein (e.g., alcohol and/or water), the intermediate sanitizing composition may be cooled to within a desired temperature range and then transferred through one or more valves (e.g., a three-way valve 114) and to input line 118 so that processing may commence at the second stage of reaction and mixing. Specifically, one or more valves (e.g., a three-way valve 114) is set to prevent fluid from first outlet line 106 to flow into recirculation line 116 and allowed to convey the intermediate composition to second reactor 122.
In connection with the second stage of reaction, second reactor 122, a second outlet line 126, second homogenizing subsystem 140 (shown in greater detail in
At the relatively low prevailing temperatures inside second reactor 122 and using second homogenizing subsystem 140, the first homogenized composition of alcohol and water is repeatedly reacted, mixed, homogenized and/or recirculated to produce a second homogenized solution 124, which is, preferably, the effective sanitizing composition of the present teachings. In other embodiments of the present arrangements, one or more additional stages of reacting, mixing, homogenizing and/or recirculation may be carried out, but the arrangement of
In certain embodiments of the present arrangements, one or more inlets into first reactor 102 and/or second reactor 122 are provided to supply any at least member chosen from a group comprising thickening agent, additive and fragrance. Regardless of the type of contents received inside first reactor 102 and/or second reactor 122, these contents undergo homogenization to produce an effective sanitizing composition.
As shown in
During an operative state of second homogenizing subsystem 140, motor 128 causes rotational motion of first axle 131, which in turn rotationally displaces first rotor 133 relative to second homogenizing blade 132, which is preferably not rotating. In this operative state, sanitizing composition 124 shown in
As shown in
First axle 111 and/or second axle 131 are, preferably, specialized dispersing axles, which, in one operative state, have a rotational speed ranging from about 10,000 rotations per minute (“rpms”) to 30,000 rpms to effectively disperse relatively viscous compositions of the intermediate sanitizing compositions and/or sanitizing compositions of the present teachings.
The present teachings also provide methods for producing hand-sanitizing compositions. Certain of these methods need not be carried out using structural details described in connection with
Method 300 begins with a step 302, which involves mixing, using a reactor at a reaction temperature that is between about 50° C. and about 70° C., alcohol with a cannabidiol (“CBD”) and/or a cannabigerol (CBG) to produce an intermediate sanitizing composition, in which the alcohol is present in a concentration that ranges from about 75% (by volume) to about 95% (by volume). In preferred embodiments of step 302, in one part by volume of alcohol, each of CBD or CBG is also present in about one part by volume. In other words, the ratio of alcohol to each CBD or CBG is, preferably, approximately 1:1 when mixing alcohol with either of the two. In those instances where a mixture of CBD and CBG is used to form the intermediate sanitizing composition, for one part by volume of alcohol, a mixture of CBD and CBG is present in about one part by volume (i.e., ratio of alcohol to a mixture CBD and CBG is, preferably, approximately 1:1).
Step 302 may include receiving different types of raw materials, such as alcohol, CBD and/or CBG, or may include additives, such as thickening agents or fragrances. Each of the raw material and/or thickening agents are preferably stored in their respective reservoirs and are conveyed through their respective input lines to first reactor 102 and/or second reactor 122 as is deemed desirable.
Next, a step 304 including cooling the intermediate sanitizing composition to a temperature that ranges from about 10° C. to about 30° C. to produce a “cooled intermediate sanitizing composition.” In a preferred embodiment of step 304, the cooling step includes cooling the intermediate sanitizing composition to a relatively lower temperature, which is cooler than the reaction temperature of alcohol and water solution at the first reaction stage (e.g., inside first reactor 102).
In one implementation of the present teachings, method 300 may include a conveying step that includes batchwise conveying the cooled intermediate sanitizing composition from first reactor 102 to second reactor 122 at an appropriate time after lapse of a predefined time duration of the intermediate sanitizing composition undergoing homogenization and recirculation in the first reaction stage or when one or more predefined conditions (e.g., temperature) for the cooled intermediate sanitizing composition are achieved. One or more additives, such as lavender essential oil, hemp essential oil, terpenes and hydrosols may be introduced into first reactor 102 and/or into second reactor 122 (i.e., introduced when the cooled intermediate sanitizing composition is present inside second reactor 122).
Then, a step 306 requires admixing the cooled intermediate sanitizing composition with an alcohol water solution to produce the sanitizing composition, wherein the concentration of the alcohol ranges from about 65% to about 95% (by volume).
Although the present teachings do not limit the different steps involved in producing a sanitizing composition to be carried out in any particular order, preferred embodiments of the present teachings recognize that the lipophilic nature of CBD or CBG desire a specific order in which the steps should be carried out. According to these preferred embodiments, prior to cooling step 304, methods 300 involve preparing the intermediate sanitizing composition for thickening by cooling the intermediate sanitizing composition to a temperature that ranges from about 30° C. and to 50° C. to produce a thickened intermediate sanitizing composition. I n more preferred embodiments, the preparing step of the present teachings is carried out by cooling the intermediate sanitizing composition to room temperature or even lower temperatures to achieve the requisite thickening.
One embodiment of the preparing step includes introducing into a first reactor (e.g., first reactor 102 of
In preferred embodiments, method 300 further comprises recirculating, using a first recirculation line (e.g., first recirculating line 116 of
In this preferred embodiment, method 300 also comprises homogenizing the intermediate sanitizing composition using a first homogenizing blade (e.g., first homogenizing blade 112 of
In preferred embodiments, method 300 similarly further comprises recirculating, using a second recirculation line (e.g., second recirculating line 136 of
The present teachings also offer effective sanitizing compositions to sanitize skin (e.g., hand) and various surfaces. In one preferred embodiment of the present teachings, present sanitizing compositions comprise effective amounts of an alcohol for disinfecting and effective amounts of CBD and/or CBG for disinfecting and serving as inflammation reducing agent. In the event the sanitizing composition is used on skin, effective amounts of alcohol that sanitize the skin undesirably causes skin inflammation. In these preferred embodiments, effective amounts of alcohol ranges from about 60% (by volume) to about 95% (by volume) and effective amounts of CBD ranges from about 0.1% (by volume) to about 0.4% (by volume), and effective amounts of CBG ranges from about 0.01% (by volume) to about 0.1% (by volume). The present sanitizing compositions have a viscosity that ranges from about 1.05 cp to about 1.2 cp.
The present sanitizing composition comprises water acting as a carrier fluid and present, preferably, in a concentration that ranges from about 25% (by volume) to about 35% (by volume). In this preferred embodiment, the present sanitizing composition further comprises a thickening agent that includes glycerin and/or aloe. Preferably, glycerin is present in a concentration that ranges from about 1% (by volume) to about 2% (by volume), and aloe is present in a concentration that ranges from about 1% (by volume) to about 5% (by volume).
The present teachings also contemplate the possibility that hand-sanitizing compositions of the present teachings may further include additives (e.g., essential oils) which impart fragrance upon application of the sanitizing compositions. By way of example, such additives include one or more compounds chosen from a group comprising lavender essential oil, hemp essential oil, terpenes and hydrosols. Further, the additives may be present in a concentration that ranges from about 0.01% (by volume) to about 5% (by volume).
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present teachings and arrangements. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present teachings and arrangements may be practiced without limitation to some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present teachings and arrangements.
The application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application having Serial No. 62/993,086 filed on Mar. 23, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62993086 | Mar 2020 | US |
